LAKE GARDA
Italy Lake Garda is one of the great mountain lakes of the Alps. Somewhat less famous than the neighboring (and more glamorous) Lake Como, Lake Garda is nevertheless considered by many to be the more beautiful of the two. This is perhaps in part due to the fact that Lake Garda is larger and less developed (and less glitzi). The beautiful Alpine lake region of Northern Italy … [Read more...]
MOUNT ETNA
Italy (3,350 m) – Site of the Forge of Hephaestus Mount Etna in Sicily is the largest active volcano in Italy, and in Europe, and one of the largest active volcanoes in the world. It erupts on a regular basis, with descriptions recorded as far back as Roman times. The name Etna is believed to be Phoenician in origin and probably means “Furnace”. Etna played several roles in … [Read more...]
MATTERHORN
Switzerland/Italy (4,478 m) – Europe’s Most Iconic Mountain The Matterhorn is arguably the most famous mountain in Europe. Located amidst some of the highest and most prominent peaks in the Alps, the Matterhorn is (contrary to popular belief) not Europe’s tallest mountain. However its sharp four-sided peak which rises above the clouds like a pyramid is visually much better … [Read more...]
MOUNT VESUVIUS
Italy (1,281 m) - Most Famous Volcanic Eruption in History Mount Vesuvius is one of the world’s best-known volvanoes. Located in the scenic, heavily touristed area of southern Italy, it is one of the most visited and most photographed mountains in the world. It is most famous for its eruption in 79 AD. Located close to the densely populated city of Naples, Vesuvius is … [Read more...]
MONTE ROSA
Switzerland/Italy (4,634 m) – 2nd Tallest Mountain in Europe Monte Rosa is the second tallest mountain in Europe and the Alps. Like Mont Blanc to the west, much of Rosa lies within the Italian border, but the peak sits on the far side, in this case Switzerland. Although not as famous as the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa is nevertheless the highest point in Switzerland, one of the … [Read more...]
MONT BLANC
France/Italy (4,810 m) – Tallest Mountain in Europe Mont Blanc is the tallest mountain in Europe (excluding the disputed Caucasus region), but the shortest of the Seven Continental Summits. Part of the thickest and highest concentration of mountains in the Alps, Blanc is also the best known, most visited and first to be climbed of the Seven Summits. Its name is French and … [Read more...]
BATTLE OF MALTA (MALTA BATTLEFIELD)
Valetta, Malta (1565 AD) The Battle of Malta, more commonly known as the Siege of Malta, was one of the greatest military upsets in history. In it a tiny force led by the Knights Hospitaller undertook the defense of the island of Malta against an immense expeditionary force sent by the Ottoman Empire. It was a pivotal moment in the history of the Ottomans in that it … [Read more...]
BATTLE OF SILER RIVER (SILER RIVER BATTLEFIELD)
Quaglietta, Italy (71 BC) The Battle of Siler River was the final engagement of the Third Servile War, and most famous for being the site where the slave leader Spartacus and his followers met their final defeat at the hands of the Roman legions of Crassus and Pompey. The Servile Wars helped to propel these two leaders to new heights of fame and power, but also led to the … [Read more...]
BATTLE OF CANNAE (CANNAE BATTLEFIELD)
Cannae, Italy (216 BC) The history of the Roman legions was one of a virtually unbroken string of victories, at least until the 4th century. In spite of this, or perhaps because of this, Rome is more famous for the battles that it lost than the battles that it won; and there is no engagement that Rome lost more famous than the Battle of Cannae. One of the definitive battles … [Read more...]
